Arson suspected in Vista car fires

A suspected arsonist set four cars on fire within a quarter mile of each other in Vista on Sunday morning, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff's deputies responded to a call for two vehicles smoking on North Santa Fe Avenue near Townsite Drive at 12:50 a.m. A bystander had noticed one of the cars smoking, opened the door to check for occupants, found none, but the smoke quickly developed into flames. About 15 minutes later, deputies got a call for another car fully engulfed in flames, located about a quarter mile away. When they got to that scene, there was another car on fire across the street.

Investigators believe the flames were intentionally set, and arson investigators have been called in, Sheriff's Lt. Rich Williams said.